120 And talking to itself, when all things else Are still, the Creature trotted on before? Such was his custom; but whene'er he met
A passenger0 approaching, he would turn foot traveler To give me timely notice; and, straitway,
125 Grateful for that admonishment, I hushed My voice, composed my gait, and with the air And mien? of one whose thoughts are free, advanced look To give and take a greeting, that might save My name from piteous rumours, such as wait
bo On men suspected to be crazed in brain.
Those walks, well worthy to be prized and loved, Regretted! that word too was on my tongue, But they were richly laden with all good, And cannot be remembered but with thanks
135 And gratitude, and perfect joy of heart; Those walks, in all their freshness, now came back, Like a returning Spring. When first I made Once more the circuit of our little Lake, If ever happiness hath lodged with man,
no That day consummate0 happiness was mine, perfect Wide-spreading, steady, calm, contemplative. The sun was set, or setting, when I left Our cottage door, and evening soon brought on A sober hour,?not winning or serene,
145 For cold and raw the air was, and untuned: But as a face we love is sweetest then When sorrow damps it; or, whatever look It chance to wear, is sweetest if the heart Have fulness in herself, even so with me
150 It fared that evening. Gently did my Soul Put off her veil, and, self-transmuted, stood Naked, as in the presence of her God.4 While on I walked, a comfort seemed to touch
Venus, goddess of love, was born from the foam from Mount Sinai, he wore a veil to hide from the the sea. Israelites the shining of his face, but removed the
In Exodus 34.30-34, when Moses descended veil when, in privacy, he talked to God.
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35 4 / WILLIAM WORDSWORTH
A heart that had not been disconsolate;
155 Strength came where weakness was not known to be, At least not felt; and restoration came, Like an intruder, knocking at the door Of unacknowledged weariness. I took The balance, and with firm hand weighed myself.
160 ?Of that external scene which round me lay Little, in this abstraction, did I see, Remembered less; but I had inward hopes And swellings of the Spirit: was rapt and soothed, Conversed with promises; had glimmering views
165 How life pervades the undecaying mind, How the immortal Soul with God-like power Informs, creates, and thaws the deepest sleep5 That time can lay upon her; how on earth, Man, if he do but live within the light
170 Of high endeavours, daily spreads abroad His being armed with strength that cannot fail. Nor was there want of milder thoughts, of love, Of innocence, and holiday repose; And more than pastoral quiet 'mid the stir
175 Of boldest projects; and a peaceful end At last, or glorious, by endurance won. Thus musing, in a wood I sate me down, Alone, continuing there to muse; the slopes And heights, meanwhile, were slowly overspread
180 With darkness; and before a rippling breeze The long lake lengthened out its hoary? line: gray-white And in the sheltered coppice6 where I sate, Around me from among the hazel leaves* Now here, now there, moved by the straggling wind,
185 Came ever and anon a breath-like sound, Quick as the pantings of the faithful Dog, The off and on Companion of my walk; And such, at times, believing them to be, I turned my head, to look if he were there;
190 Then into solemn thought I passed once more.
[THE WALK HOME FROM THE DANCE. THE DISCHARGED SOLDIER]
* * * 'Mid a throng
310 Of Maids and Youths, old Men and Matrons staid, A medley of all tempers,7 I had passed The night in dancing, gaiety, and mirth; With din of instruments, and shuffling feet, And glancing forms, and tapers' glittering, candles
315 And unaimed prattle flying up and down Spirits upon the stretch, and here and there Slight shocks of young love-liking interspersed, Whose transient pleasure mounted to the head,
5. 'Informs' and 'creates' are probably to be read 6. A clump of small trees and underbrush, as intransitive verbs, whereas 'thaws' has 'sleep' 7. Temperaments, types of character, for its direct object.
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THE PRELUDE, BOOK THIRTEENTH / 355
And tingled through the veins. Ere we retired
320 The cock had crowed; and now the eastern sky Was kindling, not unseen from humble copse And open field through which the pathway wound That homeward led my steps. Magnificent The Morning rose, in memorable pomp,
325 Glorious as e'er I had beheld; in front The Sea lay laughing at a distance;?near, The solid mountains shone bright as the clouds, Grain-tinctured, drenched in empyrean light;8 And, in the meadows and the lower grounds,
330 Was all the sweetness of a common dawn; Dews, vapours, and the melody of birds; And Labourers going forth to till the fields.
Ah! need I say, dear Friend, that to the brim My heart was full: I made no vows, but vows
